Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

I don't believe there has been a level of violence that has been concerning or comparable to other protests. There has been the usual behaviour you see in these protests, including harassment of people wearing masks, healthcare workers, businesses, etc. A small amount of riot-associated behaviour like breaking windows of businesses. It has largely been peaceful.

Overt violence isn't necessary to the definition of insurrection. Here are some other definitions I found:

- "an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government"

- "a usually violent attempt to take control of a government"

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insurrection



1. merriam-webster isn't a good source because they have a history of redefining words for activism purposes, eg. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-52993306

2. if violence isn't necessary for an "insurrection", and "revolting against civil authority or an established government" suffices, does that mean rosa parks or MLK are insurrectionists?


Truncated for posting:

Insurrection (?), n.: 1. A rising against civil or political authority, or the established government; open and active opposition to the execution of law in a city or state.

“It is found that this city of old time hath made insurrection against kings, and that rebellion and sedition have been made therein.”

Ezra iv. 19.

2. A rising in mass to oppose an enemy. [Obs.]

Syn. -- Insurrection, Sedition, Revolt, Rebellion, Mutiny. Sedition is the raising of commotion in a state, as by conspiracy, without aiming at open violence against the laws. Insurrection is a rising of individuals to prevent the execution of law by force of arms. Revolt is a casting off the authority of a government, with a view to put it down by force, or to substitute one ruler for another. Rebellion is an extended insurrection and revolt. Mutiny is an insurrection on a small scale, as a mutiny of a regiment, or of a ship's crew.

https://www.websters1913.com/words/Insurrection


The "usually" violent was added to that dictionary in 2013.


>an act or instance of revolting against civil authority or an established government

Which protest does not meet that criteria?


Most? You can protest against a government while still acknowledging its legitimacy.


Requiring an acknowledgement of a government's legitimacy seems like a bad thing. Ultimately I think "insurrection" is just being thrown around far too freely.


I don't think the truckers are trying to say that the government is illegitimate though? They are saying the mandate laws are illegitimate.




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: